22/09/2026
Clear communication and good evidence are key 🔑
Before making any deductions, make sure the tenant understands exactly what you’re proposing and why. An itemised breakdown, supporting photos or reports, and a clear explanation of the costs can help prevent unnecessary disagreements. But what happens if you still can’t reach an agreement? If the deposit is protected in a government-backed scheme, there’s a dispute resolution service available. Rather than simply withholding the deposit, both sides can submit their evidence and an impartial third party can assess the dispute.
Check-in and check-out reports, photographs, invoices and records of any cleaning, repairs or replacements can all become important when demonstrating why a deduction is justified.
The takeaway? Keep your evidence organised from the beginning. If a deduction is ever challenged, the documentation you have could make all the difference.
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